Traffic Patterns

Varying Degrees

BIGresearch conducted a special analysis looking at retailers that might be disproportionately affected by the slowdown in the housing market. In a survey, it found variable rate mortgage holders frequented some retailers at greater rates than the national average.

A LOOK THROUGH THE STOCK PRICES

More retail REITs are in positive territory for the year after a month of solid gains between mid-September and mid-October. Taubman Centers leads the way.

WORRIED BY SUBPRIME

TNS, a market research firm, measured the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis on consumers in a recent survey. Here are highlights of its findings.

33%

The percentage of American adults who plan to cut back on spending because of the effects of the subprime mortgage crisis.

21%

Respondents with children under 18 that are planning on cutting back on leisure or vacations. 23% also plan on cutting back on home improvements.

70%

Number of Americans that blame the crisis on lenders for creating the crisis. Another 60% blame the housing industry with 58% blaming subprime mortgage borrowers and 57% blaming investors.

However, the crisis only ranks 6th on the list of “most pressing issues” for Americans, trailing worries about another terrorist attack, the war in Iraq and the U.S. health care system, among other concerns.

76%

Believe the crisis is as serious or more serious than the dot-com crash.